Breaking the fasting norm: Jagannath Puri temple's unique tradition of serving rice prasad on Ekadashi

Puri (The Uttam Hindu): We all know that eating rice on Ekadashi is considered taboo. Since childhood, our grandmothers have been telling us that eating rice on Ekadashi is inauspicious. But did you know that there is a temple in our country where rice is distributed as Mahaprasad to devotees on Ekadashi, and everyone consumes it?

This is a remarkable tradition at the famous Jagannath Puri temple in Odisha, where devotees are offered rice prasad even on Ekadashi. You might be wondering why rice is eaten in Puri, when it is forbidden on Ekadashi throughout the country.

Actually, there's a very interesting story behind this. It is said that Lord Brahma once came to Puri to visit Lord Jagannath and wanted to partake of the Mahaprasad. However, by the time he arrived, all the Mahaprasad had been consumed. He noticed some rice left on a leaf plate in a corner, which a dog was eating.

Lord Brahma picked up the rice and began eating it respectfully. Seeing this, Lord Jagannath himself appeared and said, "O Lord Brahma! You have accepted my great offering. From now on, rice will be given as great offering on Ekadashi in my abode."

This tradition has continued since that time. However, in other temples across the country, consuming rice on Ekadashi is considered taboo. The Vishnu Purana states that eating rice on Ekadashi destroys merits. Rice is considered the food of the gods, so people abstain from rice on this day out of respect.

Another belief holds that Maharishi Medha, to escape the wrath of Goddess Shakti, gave up his body on Ekadashi and was reborn as rice. Hence, the tradition of abstaining from eating rice on this day.